Milk stool



Nov. 30, 1937. M. SEVERANCE MILK STOOL Filed Jan. 9, 1956 i INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFl-CE 18 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in stools forsupporting a person while engaged in the operation of milking a cow or similar animal, and the objects of my improvements are, first, to

provide a milk stool having a shape which will absorb all the reactions developed by the rapid reciprocating movement of the arms and hands of the operator, thus eliminating vibrations of the -body developed in the milking operation by ln the rapid stopping and starting of the arms and hands at the beginnings and endings of their movements; second, to provide a milk stool having a shape which will provide a more comfortable seating position for the operator than is possible in conventional stools; third, to provide a milk stool that is of exceptionally light Weight and which can be economically manufactured; fourth, to provide a milk stool having a seat portion -provided with a rolled edge extending around its periphery to eliminate any interfering engagement, with the body of the operator, and thus preventing any annoying or painful sensations and resulting in a milking operation base or leg members which are adapted to be readily positioned on the licor or similar surface when said floor or similar surface is covered With straw, litter, or similar material used for a bedding down cows and similar animals; and seventh, to provide a stool having a seat portion provided with a posture shape for conforming to the body of the operator when seated thereon. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Whichz- Figure'l is a plan view of the milk stool; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the milk stool as disclosed in Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a sectional elevation of the milk stool as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, said sectional View being taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a sectional View of the seat portion of the milk stool disclosing a form With a posture shape for fitting the body of the operator, said sectional view being taken on the line Gnd, Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a sectional view of the seat portion of the milk stool disclosing a form with a posture shape for fitting the body of the operator, said sectional View being taken on the line 5 5, Fig. el; Fig. 6, a partial sectional view of one of the base or leg portions of the milk-stool together with a brace member attached thereto with an alternative construction to that disclosed in Figs. 1,A 2 and 3; and Fig. '7, is a view of the operator seated on my milk stool and engaged in theoperation of The concave ordepressed surface 2 is preferably formed as a partial cylindrical surfaceor central well portion extending longitudinally ofY the seat I and having its sides tangent with par-r tial or semicylindrical surfaces 4 extending longitudinally of and along the front and rear edges ofv said seat I, said partial or semicylindrical surfaces 4 being provided on the outer sides 'of the lflange portions 5 Whichare-formed'by extending the main Wall portions of the seat I, the flange portions 5 beingV rolled over to forman overturned or overhanging edge portion extend-v ing substantially in parallel planes at the longitudinal or front and rear sides of theV seat I, the flange portions 5 being extended and con` tinued in their overturned or rolled-over shape around the end portions of the seat-I, the end portions 6 of the'flanges 5 being depressed to conform with the shape ofthe depressed or concave surface 2. It is to be understood, rhowever, that the lowermost portion of the concave or depressed surface 2 `may be formed With a partial cylindrical surface having aflesser radius than that disclosed iny Figs. 3 and 7, and in which case said depressed surface 2 will kbe connected Vat with said partial cylindrical surfaces 14 byk tial or liberal radial surfaces 'I at its corners to eliminate any annoying interference with the operator when seated in the concave or depressed surface-2, the flange portion' 'being extended Y around and in conformity with vthe peripheral shape of the seat I.

The seat I is preferably constructed by forming same from-a stripv1 or-sheet of material such as steel, aluminum, or similar metal, and is made of relatively light gauge or thickness to provide extreme light weight of the seat I, with resultant light weight of the stool assembly A.

The legs 8 and S are preferably constructed of a cylindrical bar or rod, or of a tubular member of steel, aluminum, or similar material, the leg members 8 and E! each being provided with upright portions I and l! which are angularly inclined upwardly and inwardly toward one another as disclosed in Figs. 3 and '7, the upright portions I5 an-d iI of each of the leg members 8 and 9 being further inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the central portion of the seat i, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, the upright members Ii! and II each being provided with a ange or bent portion I2 extending adjacent the under surface of the seat I at points: adjacent the radial surfaces l, the flange portions I 2 being" secured to the under surface of the seat I by soldering, as indicated at I3, or by Welding, brazing, or similar means.

It is to be noted that the leg members 8 and 9 are each provided with the base portion IrlA for engaging the floor or similar surface i5, as disclosed in Fig. 7, the leg portions 8 and 9 thus supporting and positioning the seat I at the proper height above the floor I5 and positioning the operator in the milking operation. It is also to be noted that the upward and inward inclination of the. upright members I and II of each of the leg members 8 and 9 toward one another, and the further inclination of the upright members I5 and ll oi each leg member 8 and 9 toward the central portion of the seat I will position the base portion I5 of` each leg member so that they will be located beyond the ends of the seat I, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2.

The upright members I6 and II are inclined toward one another sufficiently to clear the inner edge of the flange portion 5 as it is assembled in its position for soldering, as at I3, Fig. 3.

The brace or reinforcement member I6 is provided with oppositely disposed portions il' which are upwardly and inwardly inclined toward one another and are extended to form the relatively straight portion I8 at the upper extremities of the portions I'I, the portion I3 being adapted to be secured to the underside of the wall portion, of the seat I, provided with the concave or depressed surface 2 by soldering, as indicated at I9, or by welding, brazing, or similar means.

The lower ends of the portions Il' are secured to the base portions Il! by soldering, as indicated at 2i), Fig. 3, or by welding, brazing, or similar means.

It is also to be noted that the extremities of the end portions Id where they respectively join the upright members IS and II, Will also be positioned at points located beyond the outermost` surfaces of the longitudinal yportions of the flanges 5 of the seat I, thus providing an exceptionally large projected area of contact of the stool assembly A, with the floor I5, the base-portions Ill being positioned substantially in parallel planes, said planes extending substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center of the concave or depressed surface 2 to provide rigid bracing for the seat i and to prevent the stool assembly A from being easily tilted or overturned, thus insuring that the stool assembly A may be moved during the milking operation, only by sliding along the surface of the floor i5 when the operator 2I is seated therein as disclosed in Fig. 7, this however being readily accomplished when desired or in emergencies, by the operator grasping the` flange portion 6 at the en-d of the seat I and by raising his weight partially oif of the seat I.

If desired, the portions i'i of the leg members 8 and 9 may each be provided at their lower end with the loop portion 22 which may be extended around and to enclose a raised portion 23, as disclosed in Fig. 6, and located substantially at the central portion of each of the base portions I4, the end of the loop portion of each of the loop portions 22 being suitably secured to the portion i7, as by welding, indicated at 24, Fig'. 6, or by soldering, brazing, or similar means, and also the lower ends of the portions I'I, if desired may be connected to the central portions of the base portions by soldering as indicated at 20, Fig. 3, or by brazing, welding or similar means.

If it is desired to construct the seat I so that it will more efficiently fit the body of the operator seated thereon, the seat I may be modified in construction and provided with the posture or concave or depressed surface 25 as disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5, the depressed surface 25 in this case being provided substantially as a partial spherical surface dipped in the center and having its end portions 26 raised or positioned substantially above the lowermost portion of the depressed surface 25, said lowermost portion being located substantially at the central portion of the longitudinal center of the seat 2l, the seat 21 being provided With the flange portion 5 extending therearound in a similar way to that disclosed relative to the seat I.

Also the depressed surface 25 has its end portions 2@ raised substantially from its lowermost portion so that the end portions 25 are not positioned as far below the uppermost surfaces of ends of the seat 2 as is the case with the end portions of the concave or depressed surface 2 of the seat i, which is cylindrical in shape and extends longitudinally throughout the length of the seat i, so that the end portions of the concave or depressed surface 2 are located substantially at the same distance below the uppermost surfaces of the side portions 3.

in a similar Way the side portions 28 of the spherical shaped surface 25, at the transverse center line thereof, conforming to the line 33, Fig. 1, are located nearer the longitudinal sides of the flange portions 5 than the remaining side or edge portions of the spherically shaped or depressed surface 25, thus providing a, depressed surface 25 which substantially fits the body of the operator when seated thereon and forms a posture seat therefor.

The elevation of the depressed or concave surface 25 is disclosed in its general shape by the dotted lines 29 in Fig. 1, the dotted lines 29 indicating the general outline of the depressed surface 25 as having been formed in the seat I, it being understood that this posture or concave or depressed surface 25 may be added or permitted as desired to meet the needs of the purchasers.

Fig. discloses the operator 2I seated on the stool assembly A and engaged in the operation of milking a cow or similar animal. In the operation of milking, the operator 2l grasps the nipples or teats 35 of the udder 3l of the cow 32, or similar animal, and by a series of rapid reciproeating movements the milk is forced or ejected into the pail or receptacle 33, the nipples or teats 35 being alternately gripped and released to force the milk out of the nipples or teats 30 ofthe udder SI.

t is to be noted that the left arm 34 and the -left hand 35, as Well as the right hand 36 and the right arm 31, when operated in a series of rapid reciprocating movements, will be operated in a series of alternate strokes so that the left arm 34 and the left hand 35 will be at the bottom of `their downward kstroke while the right hand 35 and the right arm 31 will be substantially at the uppermost end of its stroke or movement, this being repeated alternatively with each arm and hand during the milking operation, the position of the right arm 31 and the right hand 36 being indicated respectively by the dotted lines 38 and 39 in Fig.'7 to indicate substantially the length of movement of one of the arms and hands of the operator, the other arm and hand of the operator -moving substantiallythrough a like distance but with an alternative operation so that one arm and one .hand ofthe operator is moved up while the ,other arm and other hand is moved downwardly.

This reciprocating and alternative movement of the arms and'hands of the operator, substantially in up and down parallel directions, is done very rapidly and tends to turn or revolve the body ofthe operator about the seat I or 21 of the stool assembly, with the result that the body of the 'operator tends to vibrate and become unbalanced when seated on a conventional milk stool having substantially a flat seat surface, or where Ythe milk stool is provided conventionally with a single leg support at its center, or where the milk stool `is provided with two or more leg portions which are not positioned toengage a sufficient area of the yfloor or similar supporting surface to rigidly support the stool assembly to absorb the reactions in the body o-f the operator 2| due to the rapidV reciprocating and alternate and oppositely disposed movements of the arms and hands of the operator 2 I In my invention the surface of the seat I or 21, upon which the operator sits, is depressed sufficiently below the longitudinal side portions of the seat so that the operators body is rigidly positioned and assists the body of the operator to eiciently absorb the reactions from the above described movements of the milking operation,

V.Also the depressed surface ofthe seats I or '21 enables the fatty portions of the body of the operator 2| to be supported by the upwardlyextending portions of the seat in such a way thatY the 'hip bones are relieved of bearing or supporting excessive weight such as is the caseV with conventional stools With which the operator is seated upon substantially level or flat surfaces, the lesh `of the thighs of the operator and around the hip bones forming a substantial cushion of flesh interposed between the hip bones of the operator and the seat I or 21.

Also the flange portions 5 render the stool assembly readily movable by the operator grasp- -ing the lowermost portion of the ange 5 located at the ends of the seat I or 21 and indicated at 6 in Fig. 3, in an emergency such as where the cow 32 may side step and shove against the operator 2l, thus allowing the operator to quickly grasp the flange 5 as indicated at 6 at either of the ends of the seat I or seat 21 and shift the stool assembly longitudinally or to and from the cow 32, with rapidity and ease to avoid injuries to the operator 2| or overturning of the milk pail 33.

-Also it is to be noted that the flange portion 5 of the seat I or 21 will permit the stool to be thrown around as necessary or asdesired, in an inverted positionin .which thestool .will restupon `the surfaces 3 on the floor 'surface I5 Yand iyet will render the flange portions 5 easily cleaned from any dirt, straw, or other debris usually'encountered in stables where cows or similar animals are kept, which would not be the case if the il flanges 5 were further folded around so that their ends lay substantially adjacent or against Athe, under side of the seat I.

It is also-.to be noted that the'base portions :Il are located at opposite ends of the stool assembly A and permits the stool to be lowered down Vinto straw, 1itter,ror similar debris, withoutv displacing or tilting the stool in any way. Also the oppositely disposed portionsI1 of thebraceI'l are arched so that they will fit down oversuch litter without tending to displace or up end'the stool assembly. Y

It is to be noted that-definite and different heights of stools for different operators can be readily obtained by increasing or decreasing -the lengths of the leg members 8 and 9 throughout, together with the brace member I6.

In `operation the stool assembly A is placed at the right side of the cow 32 with the concave or depressed surfaces 2 or 25 having its vlongitudinal center extending substantially parallel with the lside of the cow, the operator 2| seating himself on the concave or depressed surface 2 or posture surface 25 with his legs extending over the forward-longitudinal side lof the seat I or 21. e

Then by grasping the nipples or teats 30 with the hands 35 and 35, the operator will, by a series of rapidly reciprocating and oppositely disposed movements cause the milk to flow from the udder .3l into the pail or receptacle 33.

At the same time the reactions that are set up in the body of the operator 2I are absorbed by the upwardly extending sides of the seat -`I or V21,

thus not only providing a seat which eiii'cientlyV absorbs all reactions developed in the milking operation but provides a stool that enables the operator 2I to be seated in a comfortable position thereon without supporting the majorweigh't of his body on the hip bones.

I claim:

l. Ina stool for-use in the operation of milking a cow, the combination of a seat member provided with a depressed central well portion vex-v tending longitudinally thereof, and adapted to receive the operator in a seated position thereon Vwhile engaged in the milkingoperation and facing in a. direction substantially at'right angles to the longitudinal center of the cow, saidseat member having side portions connecting with and extending substantially above the lowermost i z -portion of said central Well portion, said side portions extending substantially parallel with one another and with Athe longitudinal center of the cow, said side portions each being provided with ly and inwardly inclined toward one another,

each pair of said upright portions being linwardly inclined toward the other of said pair of leg members, said upright portions'being provided with iiange portions for attaching to said seat member, each of said leg members being provided with a base portion adapted to engage a floor or similar supporting surface, said base portions .extending substantially parallel with the other and at right angles with the longitudinal centerv of the cow, means for attaching said fiange portions of said upright portions to said seat member, a brace member provided with oppositely disposed portions connected with central portions of said base portions, said oppositely disposed portions being upwardly and inwardly inclined, said'brace member being provided with a relatively straight portion connecting said oppositely disposed portions, and means for attaching said relatively straight portion of said brace member to said seat member.

2. In a stool for use in the operation of milking a cow, the combination of a seat member provided with a depressed central well portion extending longitudinally thereof, and adapted to receive the operator in a seated position thereon while engaged in the milking operation and facing in a direction substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center of the cow, said seat member having side portions connecting with and extending substantially above the lowermost portion of said central well portion, said side portions extending substantially parallel with one another and with the longitudinal center of the cow, said side portions each being provided with a portion -of arcuate shape having a roll-over edge, said seatv member being further provided with end portions connecting with said central Well portion and conforming to the depressed shape thereof, said end portions each being provided with a portion of arcuate shape having a roll-over edge connecting with said arcuate portion of said side portions, said arcuate portions being connected at their ends with curved portions each provided with arcuate portions joining with said first mentioned and said second mentioned arcuate portions to provide arcuate portions extending continually and entirely around the periphery of said seat member, a pair of leg members connected with Isaid seat member and each having base portions extending longitudinally substantially at right angles to the longitudinal center of the cow, and a brace member connecting said base portions of said leg members with said seat member.

3. In a stool for use in the operation of milking a cow, the combination of a seat member provided with a depress-ed central well portion extending longitudinally of said seat member and adapted to receive the operator in a seated position thereon while engaged in the milking operation and facing in a direction substantially at right angles with the Ylongitudinal center of the cow and said depressed central well portion, said seat member being provided with a portion of arcuate shape having a roll over edge extending entirely and continuously around the periphery of` said seat member, a pair of leg members each provided with a pair of upright portions upwardly and inwardly inclined toward one another, each pair of said upright portions being inclined inwardly toward the other of said pair of leg members, said upright portions being provided with flange portions for attaching to said seat member, each of said leg members being provided with a base portion adapted to engage a floor or similar support- Ying surface, each of said base portions extending substantially parallel with the other and at right angles with the longitudinal center of the cow,

w means for attaching said flange portions of said upright portions to said seat member, a brace member provided with oppositely disposed portions connected with central portions of said base portions, said oppositely disposed portions being upwardly and inwardly inclined, said brace member being provided with a relatively straight portion connecting said oppositely disposed portions, and means for attaclL'ng said relatively straight portion of said brace member to said seat member.

4. A stool for supporting an operator in a seated position thereon while milking a cow and comprising a seat member having a depressed seating surface extending longitudinally thereof and sub'- stantially parallel with the longitudinal center of the cow, said seat member having arcuate edge portions, and a pair of oppositely disposed leg members yhaving base portions extending longitudinally in directions extending at right angles to the longitudinal center of the cow, said leg members being connected with said seat member within said arcuate edge portions.

5. In a milk stool, the combination of a seat member having a well portion extended to form a hollow roll-over edge portion extending around the periphery of said seat member, said hollow roll-over edge portion being open at its inner side to facilitate use as a handle member for the milk stool, and leg members connected with inside surfaces of said hollow roll-over edge portion of said seat member.

6. In a milk stool, the combination of a seat member having substantially a rectangular shape and provided with a well portion extended to form a roll-over edge portion extending around the periphery of said seat member, said roll-over edge portion being open at its inner side to facilitate use as a handle member for the milk stool, said seat member being further provided with a concave surface extending longitudinally thereof, and leg members connected with said roll-over edge portion `of said seat member.

7. In a milk stool, the combination of a seat member having a trough extending thereacross and provided with an arcuate portion having a downwardly and inwardly extending edge portion at each of the ends and sides of said trough to provide handle portions for the' milk stool, and leg members connected with said arcuate portions of said seat member, said leg members being positioned adjacent the edge surfaces of said downwardly and inwardly extending edge portions of said arcuate portions of said seat member.

8. In amilk stool, the combination of a seat member having a trough extending thereacross and provided with a downwardly extending edge portion at each of the ends of said trough to provide handle portions for the milk stool, said edge portions each having substantially a semicylindrical shape having its opening at its inner side, and leg membersextending into said opening and connected with said semicylindrical shaped edge v portion of said seat member.

9. In a milk stool, the combination of a seat member having substantially a rectangular shape and provided with substantial radii at its corners, said seat member being provided with hollow rollover edge portions extending adjacent its sides, endg-and corner radii, said seat member being further provided with a trough extending longitudinally thereof, and leg members connectedl with said seat member adjacent said roll-over edge portion.

10. In a milk stool for supporting an operator while engaged in a milking operationin which the hands and arms of the operator are rapidly reciprocated in opposite up and down directions, the combination of a seat member provided with a trough portion engaged by the operator when seated thereon and extending longitudinally in a direction substantially at right angles to said opposite up and down directions in which the hands and arms of the operator are reciprocated, said seat member being provided with arcuateshaped portions at its sides to provide handle members, said trough portion of said seat member absorbing the reactions developed in the body of the operator by the reciprocating movement of the hands and arms, and a structure connected with and supporting said seat member, said structure being connected to said seat member within said arcuate-shaped portions.

1l. In a milk stool for supporting an operator while gripping portions of the udder of a cow or similar animal-in a milking operation in which the hands and arms of the operator are rapidly reciprocated in opposite up and down directions, the combination of a member provided with a surface depressed substantially below its side portions and adapted to support the operator in a seated position, said depressed surface having oppositely disposed inclined sides extending longitudinally substantially at right angles to said opposite up and down directions to absorb reactions developed in the body of the operator by the rapid reciprocation of said hands and arms of the operator, said member having overhanging edge portions forming a channel extending entirely therearound, and a structure for engaging a oor or similar supporting surface and connected with said member, said structure having its points of connection located within said channel of said member and being substantially covered by overhanging portions of said member, lsaid structure supporting said member.

12. In a milk stool for supporting an operator while gripping portions of the udder of a cow or similar animal in a milking operation in which the hands and arms of the operator are rapidly reciprocated in opposite up and down directions, the combination of a member provided with a surface depressed substantially below its side portions and adapted to support the operator in a seated position, said depressed surface having oppositely disposed inclined sides extending lcngitudinally substantially at right angles to said opposite up and down directions to absorb reactions developed in the body of the operator by the rapid reciprocation of said hands and arms of the operator, said member being provided with downwardly extending edge portions forming hollow handle members for the milk stool, and a structure for engaging a oor or similar supporting surface and connected with said member, said structure entering said hollow members to connect with and support said member.

13. In a stool for supporting an operator while milking a cow or similar animal, the combination of a seat member having a trough extending longitudinally thereof and substantially parallel with the longitudinal center of thecow or similar animal during the milking operation, said trough engaging the hips of the operator, and a pair of leg members connected with and supporting said seat member, said leg members having base portions extending substantially in parallel planes and at right angles to said trough,

said base portions being located in vertical planes extending beyond the edge portions of the ends of said seat member.

14. In a stool for supporting an operator while milking a cow or similar animal, the combination of aV seat member having a trough extending longitudinally thereof and substantially parallel with the longitudinal center of the cow or similar animal during the milking operation', said trough engaging the hips of the operator,

vand a pair of leg members connected with and supporting said seat member, said legmembers having base portions extending substantially in parallel planes and at right angles to said trough, the extremities of said base portions being located in vertical planes oppositely disposed about said seat member and extending beyond the edge portions of the sides of said trough.

15. In a stool for supporting an operator while milking a cow or similar animal, the combination of a seat member provided with a trough extending substantially parallelfwith the longitudinal center of the cow or similar animal during the milking operation, said trough engaging the hips of the operator, said seat member being provided with roll-over edge portions extending longitudinally at the upper longitudinal sides of said trough to permit the thighs ofthe operator to engage the upper and outermost longitudinal sides of said trough without annoyance, and a structure connected with and supporting said seat member, said structure extending into said roll- K over edge portion between the lower surface of pressed portion to provide a posture seating surk face for engaging the hips of a person performing the milking operation, said member having an arcuate portion extending entirely therearound, and a structure connectedwith and supporting said seat member, said structure entering said arcuate portion. f w Y 17. In a milk stool, the combination of a rectangular seat member provided with a spherically shaped depressed portion to provide a posture seating surface for engaging the hips of a person performing the milking operation, said spheri-cally shaped depressed portion having its greatest length extending longitudinally of said seat member, said member having an arcuate portion extending entirely therearound, and a structure connected with and supporting said seat structure, said structure entering said arcuate portion. k

18. In a milk stool, the combination of a seat member provided with a spherically shapedv depressed portion to provide a posture seating surface for engaging the hips of a person performing the milking operation, said seat member being provi-ded with a hollow roll-over edge portion extending around its periphery and having an open inner side to permit said roll-over edge portion to be utilized as a handle portion for moving or lifting the milk stool, and a structure connected with and supporting said seat member,

said structure extending within said hollow rollover edge portion. Y

` MYRON SEVERANCE. 

